Burzichelli said his proposal “is about revisiting a statute last looked at in 1978 that never took into account an individual’s right to control their body and their circumstances.’’

Bill A-2270 would require patients suffering from a terminal disease to first verbally request a prescription from their attending physician, followed by a second verbal request at least 15 days later and one request in writing signed by two witnesses. In addition, the attending physician would have to offer the patient a chance to rescind their request.

The bill defines “terminal disease” as an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, result in a patient’s death within six months.